Chapter 2

Maybe things would've went better if I knew more about Logan before we started dating. Like yes, I've noticed him in some of my classes prior, always with incredibly messy hair and a skateboard wherever he went, like Chad with his basketball in High School Musical. I knew he's this cute guy underclassmen giggle about, but not necessarily the most popular guy in our year. Logan is known for skateboarding, and skipping classes to skateboard, and appearing in the background of an MTV skate show for like one second. Besides that, I had no idea what he was up to. We never talked, like ever, and I can't even remember what people he usually hangs out with.

This somehow didn't change much over the summer, even though I ended up spending all of my time with him. Though it definitely would have helped me right now, as I find myself in front of a wooden door in third floor, where all the clubrooms are located. Kaia is next to me, practically radiating out of her skin.

"This is it," she whispers, mainly to herself, "This is the moment I've been waiting for."

Where? Where does she take this kind of optimism from?

I'm starting to question everything that lead me to this specific point in my life, but before I can do so much as run away, or faint on spot, the door in front of us opens. A tiny girl with pitch black hair steps outside, her arms wrapped around a dangerously high stack of files, and stares at us.

"Oh," she says and there's a wide smile forming on her face, "Kaia! You're really came!"

"Hi Liling!" Kaia beams and goes to grab her hand, which is quite difficult with the files the girl is still trying to balance, "I'm so excited! This is my friend June."

I try my best smile.

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too!" Liling twirls around, beckoning us over her shoulder, "Come inside!"

I'd rather not.

The room Liling ushers us into looks nothing like a normal classroom. I spot high windows, adorned with cute red patterned curtains, long tables with laptops, books and notebooks all over, bookshelves in the back and cozy bean chairs huddled in one corner, and – all eyes on us. There's really only a small group of students present, not even ten, but they're all staring at us, sitting in front of their desks with open laptops and snacks and looking extremely professional. I spot at least three cute guys and girls that look ready for the runway.

I blindly reach for Kaia's hand, but only manage to grab the sleeve of her shirt. I still tug on it, while my left eyelid twitches, a small indication I'm about to lose it.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone!" Liling doesn't give me any time to calm down and takes both of our hands, "We're all really excited you'll join us!"

I don't remember when I officially signed up, but right now doesn't seem the right moment to point that out.

"This is our president," Liling says and drags us to a desk right in front of the chalkboard, "Johnny – Jonathan actually. He's cool. We elected him last year, so he's ordering us around and handles the finances with our VPs."

Johnny grins at us, with his perfect teeth and perfect, deep chocolate brown skin and expensive clothes, and I feel even more unnerved.

"Hi you," he says and it's not even corny, "Thanks for joining us."

Kaia's beaming and almost bouncing, and I smile awkwardly.

"Hi."

The next students we meet are sitting on two double-desks moved together, Liling dragging us towards it with our hands in her tight grip.

"Guys listen up, these are our new recruits," Liling says and nudges the back of one guy, "This here is Carlos, and next to him is Duncan – their main job is setting up all the tech whenever we're doing an event. You know, boring stuff."

Carlos rolls around on his chair and makes a face.

"Thank you Liling. Hi guys."

We're not exactly friends, but I know Carlos. He's well known, and popular, and in my math class. Sometimes we even talk. Not about his extracurricular activities though, because I never knew he was in something as obscure as this event crew.

Kaia beams and says, "So nice to see you here!". They exchange a few words and I stand awkwardly at their side.

It takes a few second for the other guy to turn around, and when he does, he looks fairly unimpressed. His hair is incredibly short trimmed, his eyes an intimidating shade of blue, and even though he's looking at us, his hands are still running rapidly over his keyboard. A second look assures me he's playing an RPG.

"I'm Duncan," he says, "Nice to have you around. The more girls the merrier, eh?"

Liling narrows her eyes at him and Carlos stifles a laugh. I feel like I'm missing something.

"Anyway, this is where I sit," Liling says and points at the spot across their table, "I'm the secretary of the club, means I do paper work and phone calls and all the stuff no one likes to do."

"Why so melodramatic," Duncan says.

"I'm also part of the cooking crew," Liling continues as if nothing happened, "Agatha – over there, the girl with the short hair – and I manage everything food related. We cook and bake for the events and get the permissions to hand out what we cook and bake to the students. Our cupcakes are really good, you should totally try them!"

Carlos makes an agreeing noise over his laptop, eyes furrowed as he focuses back on his screen. Apparently, he is playing the same RPG as Duncan but looks way more lost.

Liling slowly eyes us from head to toe. "Now that I think of it – you two could join the cooking crew, too! Would be a lot of fun, don't you think?"

"Uh," I say intelligently.

I do like freshly cooked and baked food, but not really made by myself. The only thing I can manage without burning down the kitchen is pancakes, and I still prefer the ones my mum makes.

"We'll consider it," Kaia says and with that it's settled.

"Going to the next desk," Liling pushes our backs, "This is our arts team, they create and hand out our amazing flyers." Liling points at the students sitting on a long desk in the far back, "This is Agatha, my cooking crew companion," a girl with short dark hair and warm caramel colored skin looks up and smiles fleetingly, "and this is Matthew."

The guy in the middle looks up and I'm wondering if he a) does look familiar or b) simply looks like any tall guy at my school. He's tan, with dark hair and brown eyes, and wearing athleisure. Could be anyone. Could be –

"Hi Kaia, hi June. Great to see you!"

– Matthew from my science class.

I remember him briefly from sitting in the first row, a place I never fail to avoid, and maybe, just maybe, sharing five classes with me last year.

Kaia beams and I give my best Hello I Totally Do Remember You smile. Not like Matthew seems to care anyway, his gaze instantly dropping back to the notebook in his lap.

"And finally – your desk!" Liling seems unnecessarily excited over the long desk she's pointing at, "You guys will sit here – it's really not that far in the back, you're basically eye to eye with Matty and Agatha – and your main job will be coordinating and organizing things. It's what everyone does actually, but Johnny said we need members solely focused on it, so that's that."

I feel like I really need to say something, so I end up with "I'm great at organizing", which is a lie and sounds extremely fake on top. Great.

Kaia gives me a nudge.

"We'd love that. We really want to help and become great coordinators."

Her enthusiasm is so real and contagious I can't help but smile with her. It lasts for three glorious seconds, right until Liling points at the free desk next to Johnny's.

"And this is where our vice presidents sit, even though they're both not here yet. You surely know them, since they're seniors just like you guys. There's –" Liling stops right as the door slams open.

A guy with messy blonde hair stumbles inside and sends an apologetic smile at the room.

"Sorry I'm late – my teacher wanted us to talk on the first day of school, crazy."

He laughs and goes to pat Johnny's back, or maybe touch him weirdly, but stops abruptly as soon as he spots Kaia and me. He blinks, once, twice, before a horrified expression forms on his face.

"This is one of our VPs," Liling continues without noticing anything abnormal, "His name is –"

"Logan Hayman," I say and cross my arms.

And why again did I sign up for this?